Plastic Bag Makers Support Plastic Bag Recycling Program in Philadelphia

The Philadelphia City Council, led by Councilwoman Blondell Reynolds Brown, along with local retailers and business groups, have announced a program designed to increase the recycling of plastic bags in Philadelphia. The announcement follows the recent adoption of a City Council resolution which calls on local retailers to offer programs to collect recyclable plastic bags and product wraps from shoppers who bring them back to the store.
“Plastics are too valuable to waste and should be recycled.  We are delighted to work with the Philadelphia City Council and local retailers to help increase access to convenient recycling for Philadelphia residents,” said Shari Jackson, Director of the Progressive Bag Affiliates of the American Chemistry Council.

PBA will support the City Council’s program by providing technical assistance and tools to retailers to help them promote education and awareness among Philadelphia’s shoppers to recycle their plastic bags and product wraps.
According to the ACC, the recycling of plastic bags and wraps increased 27 percent nationwide from 2005 to 2007, and the rate of recycling these products climbed to 12 percent. 

Recently, the Progressive Bag Affiliates announced a landmark goal of 40 percent recycled content in all plastic shopping bags by 2015.  When fully implemented, the Full Circle Recycling Initiative will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 463 million pounds, conserve enough energy (mainly natural gas) to heat 200,000 homes, and reduce waste by 300 million pounds every year.